Electric mortar spreader

ABSTRACT

An electric mortar spreader having a mortar container which is movable on anti-friction rollers and having a rearwardly inclined chute bottom. A pair of apertures through the rear wall of the container are gated to meter the flow of mortar therethrough. A lever is provided through the container operating two flapper valve elements selectively opening and closing ports through the bottom of the container and serving the apertures simultaneously. The lever is spring biased to close the ports on release of the lever and the lever actuates a normally open electrical switch. The electrical switch, when closed, permits electrical current to flow through a vibrator element secured beneath the inclined bottom of the container. The vibrator is suspended to impart oscillations to the container at the rear thereof and immediately beneath the floor or bottom adjacent the ports. A guide is secured to the side of the container and is selectively movable to depend below the lower line of block.

United States Patent Meyer .[ll] 3,826,410 July 30, 1974 1 ELECTRICMORTAR SPREADER [76] Inventor: Warren H. Meyer, Rt. No. 1, Box

16, Atlanta, Mich. 49709 [22] Filed: Dec. 18, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 316,439

[52] US. Cl. 222/178 [51] Int. Cl. A0lc 19/00 [58] Field of Search222/178, 196, 199, 176,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,34 l .691 2/l944 Ciccskc4. 222/176 Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollberg Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Miller, Morriss, Pappas & McLeod [57] ABSTRACT An electric mortarspreader having a mortar container which is movable on anti-frictionrollers and having a rearwardly inclined chute bottom. A pair ofapertures through the rear wall of the container are gated to meter theflow of mortar therethrough. A lever is provided through the containeroperating two flapper valve elements selectively opening and closingports through the bottom of the container and serving the aperturessimultaneously. The lever is spring biased to close the ports on releaseof the lever and the lever actuates a normally open electrical switch.The electrical switch, when closed, permits electrical current to flowthrough a vibrator element secured beneath the inclined bottom of thecontainer. The vibrator is suspended to impart oscillations to thecontainer at the rear thereof and immediately beneath the floor orbottom adjacent the ports. A guide is secured to the side of thecontainer and is selectively movable to depend below the lower line ofblock.

4 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The presentinvention is a new and improved mortar spreader and in particular is amortar spreader which is equipped withan electric vibrator element whichflows the mortar in an even and steadystream in a pair of ribbonsapplied directly to building materials, such as cinder or concreteblocks. The invention is relatively self-cleaning and can be usedrapidly by guiding on the edge of the underlying block course. Themaster valve for flow is directly connected to the switch lever whichstarts and stops the'motor-vibrator and the flow cut-off is easilyachieved by turning off the mortar by closure of the openings throughwhich the mortar flows. 'The connection of vibrator to containerexpedites the smooth flow and applies the vibrations most expeditiouslyto the side and bottom of the container portion. A metering gate assuresa controlled volume of flow as desired and roughly strikes off the topof the mortar ribbons by the screed-like action of the spreader box andgate.

THE PRIOR ART The prior art, as known, is represented by the US. Pat. ofBukey 3,566,491; ofCiceske 2,341,69l and Erp 2,674,l 16. The generalproblem posed by the prior art is how to accelerate flow and assure thatthe flow of mortar is smooth and even. The application of the vibratorand modification of the gates and valves to accommodate increaseduniform flow is the primary contribution of the applicant.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION In general, the electric mortar spreader comprises amortar container having a baffle bottom formed at an incline downwardtoward the rear of the container. The rear of the container hasreference to the trailing portion of the container as it is moved alonga line of 'masonry or block. The bottom is bifurcated by a central ridgewhich acts as a flow divider. On each side of the central ridge is anopening located adjacent the rear wall of the container and each isnormally closed by a trap plate closure or valve. The valves aresimultaneously actuated by a lever extending transversely through thecontainer. The lever is connected to the valves or plate closures sothat the plates move as the lever moves. The lever also is biased toclose the openings and the lever engages a switch upon opening the plateclosures and the switch activates an electric powered motor-vibratorcaged and housed beneath the baffle bottom and principally impartingvibration to the rear portion of the container and particularly the rearwall thereof. The rear wall has a pair of back openings adjacent thelower corners and through which mortar flows, passed downward throughthe pair of openings in the bottom and flowed over the closure platesand confined laterally by the side wall of the container and the sidewall of the vibrator-motor compartment. Gates selectively and slidablycover the openings at the lower corners of the rear wall and can belowered or raised at selected volume and set depth. A guide isselectively depended from one side of the container to overlap the lowercourse of masonry or block along which the spreader is pulled. Wheels orrollers are journalled in the container and below the floor or bottomthereof and sized and positioned to tilt the container slightly to therear supplementing the flow direction of mortar contents toward therear. The rear pair ofrollers are protected from the mortar flow by thetrap-like valve closures which, upon opening, act like chutes flowingthe mortar above the wheels and to the rear through the openings at thelower corners of the rear wall. The

' wheels provide an anti-friction contact with the masonry or blockcourse. The container and spreader is manually drawn along the course ofmasonry or block and the lever, when depressed, assures flow through theclosures in the baffle bottom and the setting of the valve gatesestablishes volume and thickness of flow, the vibrator assuringuniformity of flow and substantially self-cleaning or emptying thecontainer. A cover houses the motor-vibrator from normal spray cleaningof the container from the open top. The cover may be removed and themotor-vibrator may be disengaged from its mounting where severe cleaningis required. Suitable lubrication seals are provided on operatingshafting so that lubrication is applied effectively and dirt and grimeis kept out of the journals and bearings.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mortar spreader inaccord with the present invention shown moving in a forwardly directionwhile laying a twin band trail of mortar at the rear end on a course ofbuilding block.

FIG. 2 is a rear end elevation view of the mortar spreader in accordwith the present invention and best showing the gate valve over themortar opening at the lower corners of the rear end of the mortarspreader.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the mortar spreader seen. in FIG. 2and indicating the slant of the bottom of the container portion and theblock edge guide in the lifted position.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the mortar spreader on the sideopposite the FIG. 3 and indicating the operating lever, the handle onthe forward end of the container, and the respective orientation of thewheels elevating the front of the container slightly to facilitate feedof mortar rearwardly.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the spreader as seen in FIGS. 1-4 andwith the cover removed from the motor-vibrator and showing the motorbase secured to the rear end of the container to impart vibrating forceto the container midway between the chute openings and beneath theinclined bottom.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the operating lever secured fixedly tothe pair of spaced apart closures and which form chutes upon opening fordischarged mortar. A switch trip also extends from the lever between theclosure plates and a spring return lever and spring are also shown.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the vibrator-mortar assemblyas cradled in a pan-like motor base anchored to a vibration bracket anda closure plate closing the motor compartment.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the sheet metal formsassembled to provide the container, floor or inclined bottom, valve gatestraps and the compartment elements or walls isolating the mortar fromwheels and from direct contact with motor in or passing through thecontainer.

FIG. 9 is a fragmental partially schematic elevation and indicating theelectric circuit as applied to the present invention.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION In FIG. 1, the mortar spreader 11 of the presentinvention is shown moving along a course of cement block 12 and applyingtwin ribbons 13 and 14 to the upper surfaces of the blocks 15 inreadiness for the application of the next uppermost course ofblocks 15'.The mortar spreader 11 includes a handle 16 permitting the spreader 11to be rolled by pulling easily along the course 12. The spreader 11 alsoincludes an operating crank handle or lever 17 which opens a pair ofspaced apart flapper valves (not seen in FIG. 1); activates a switch(not seen in FIG. 1); and the-switch in turn activates a motor-vibratorwithin the structure of the spreader 11. The consequent vibrationsassures that the contents of the spreader 11 will smoothly flow themortar in ribbons 13 and 14 through the apertures of gates 18 and 19.The vibrator is served by electricity available'through the service cord20. The cord 20 is plugged into an available source of electricityprovided, for example, by an extension cord and receptacle to the jobsite. The plug 21 is merely inserted into the extension receptacle (notshown) and the mortar spreader 11 is ready for service. The majorportion of the spreader 11 comprises a container 22 into which mixedmortar 23 is dumped. The container 22, when opened at the bottom, flowsthe mortar in a bifurcated manner toward the gates 18 and 19. Wheelslnotseen in FIG. 1) are journalled beneath the container 22 and the I axles24 and 25 with suitable lubrication seals are visible through the sidepanel 26.- The wheels gap the container 22 slightly above the top of theblock course 12. The axle 24 is slightly below the elevation of the axle25 and the wheels are so proportioned that there is a slight rearwardtilt to the spreader container 22 as it is rolled along the course 12.The gates 18 and 19 are valved selectively by the valve control elementcomprising the shutter-like valve plate 27, the central lifting link28,,the lever link 29 and the thumb screw compression strap lock 30. Thevalve plate 27 has a pair of depending plane extensions 27a and 27bwhich are selectively movable up and down in the slide slots 31 formedby the wrapper strip 32 which defines the uppermost position of thegates 18 and 19. The wrapper strip 32 is secured to the container 22 asby welding, riveting or the like.

In FIG. 2, the operation of the meter valve plate 27 serving the gates18 and 19 is best appreciated and the rear wheels 33 on the axles 24 arebest seen. The front wheels 34 are also visible at a slightly moredepended position to provide the rearward tilt to the container 22 aspreviously mentioned. The plate extensions 27a and 27b may be adjustablylowered to cover the variable apertured gates 18 and 19, respectively,at an equal or different height depending on the metering setting of thevalve control plate 27. Hence, the plate 27 serves as a screed-likestriker selecting the thickness of and metering the flow of the ribbonsof mortar l3 and 14. Without the action of the vibrator, as will beseen, the screed action could not proceed smoothly at a selected heightfor the metered spread of mortar. From the FIG. 2, the guide or gageelement 35, provided on the outside side of the side plate 36 of thecontainer 22 is seen and as the description proceeds, it will beappreciated that the gage can be lowered to serve as a guide dependingto contact the edge of the course of block 12. This facilitates therolling of the spreader 11 guidably along'the course 12.'Thechannel-shaped rear plate 37 is also best seen as defining the meteringapertures or gates 18 and I9 and the rear face with the wrapper strip 32forming ways 31 for the extensions 27a and 27b of the plate 27.

FIG. 3 best shows the gage or guide 35 and in phantom-line indicates thegage 35 in its depended position to guidably overlap the edge of thecourse 12. The gage element 35 is a U-shapcd bar which rides flushagainst the side 36 of the container 22. The tilt arm 40 is selectivelytilted to lower or raise the link 41 connected to the gage element 35.The compression clamp 42 holds the selected setting by clamping on thearm 40, as desired. The thumbscrew 43 is simply tightened on a stud asindicated. The journal 17a for the extension of the handle 17 throughthe container 22 is also seen. The channel-shaped front plate 44 definesthe front end of the container 22 which includes the handle 16 andprovides for passing the cord 20 therethrough. FIG. 4 shows the spine ofthe flow divider 45 and floor 46 of the container 22 which together formthe rearwardly inclined divided bottom and define openings 47, which, aswill be seen, are closed by valve means operable from the handle 17 andare selectively opened allowing flow of mortar 23 or to close stoppingmortar flow. The inclined flow divider 45 and floor portion 46 togetherare formed by a chute baffle which will be better appreciated bydescription referenced to the FIG. 8.

FIG. 5 shows how the spreader 11 is compartmentalized to provide acentral vibrator compartment 50 and flanking wheel compartments 51 and52. These are defined by the separator walls 53 and 54 which arechannel-like at the ends to abut and reinforce the end walls 37 and 44and the tops of the walls 53 and 54 engage and support the flow divider45 and floor 46 which together form the chute baffle or bottom of thecontainer 22. The flow divider 45 divides the mortar equally to theopenings 47 and the inclination and tilt urges flow through theopenings. From the FIG. 5 the alignment and spacing of the front andrear wheels 34 and 33 assures that the wheels run on the solid portionsof the blocks 15 and with the gates 18 and 19 emitting mortar to thesolid portions of the blocks 15 as shown in FIG. 1. It has beenpreviously noted that the wheels 33 and 34 are sized, and positioned toassure that the container 23 does not drag on the blocks 15. In thecenter compartment 50 and isolated from direct exposure to dust anddirt, the vibrator base cradle 55 is suspended being supported at therear by the bracket 56 and at the front by clamp attachment 57 over theaxle 25. The mounting bolts 58 support the vibrator-motor as will beseen and the bolts 59 secure the clamp 57 while the bolt 60 attaches thevibrator cradle 55 to the bracket 56 which bracket 56 is secured to therear lower end of the container plate 37 in the compartment 50. Aclosure plate covers the compartment 50, as will be seen, and is securedin place by two or more of the bolts. The handle 17 extends across thespreader 11 and through the compartments 51 and 52 and operates the twinvalve closures 62 which are shown in closed relation over the openings47 in the bottom 46 of the container 22. The handle 17 also contacts thelimit switch 63 as the closures 62 are opened. The contact is achievedby the arm 64 which rotates with the handle 17 and closures 62 are fullyopen they act as ramplike shields overthe rear wheels 33 and flow themortar 23 through the gates 18 and 19.

In FIG. 7, the vibrator 70 is shown in cradle support base 55 and themotor 71 is secured thereto by the bolts 58 as previously indicated andthe cradle base 55 is secured at the rear to the bracket 56 and at thefront to the clamp 57. Hence, the rear of cradle base 55 is effectivelyattached to the rear wall of the container 22 directly beneath the chutebaffles and between the gates 18 and 19. The motor 71 extends axiallyand centrally of the compartment 50 and secured at the front to the axleof the wheels 34. A wrap strap 72 is secured to the cradle 55 andprovides a firm encircling grip on the motor 71 so that vibratory shockoscillations consequent to rotation of the eccentric mass 73 secured tomotor shaft 74 are suitably distributed to the cradle support points atbracket 56 and clamp 57. The cover plate 75 closes the vibrator 70 inthe compartment 50 assisted and held in position by selective of thebolts 58-60. An oil seal 76 and radial thrust ball bearings in the motor71 assure extended motor life. Other. vibrator-motor packs may be usedbut the described motorvibrator is simple and effective.

The FIG. 8 is helpful in appreciating the simplicity of the mortarspreader 11 and shows the container 22 and compartment constructioncomprising the base frame of the spreader 11. The chute baffle 80comprises the spine portion or flow divider 45, the inclined floor 46and the openings 47 and is formed from a single piece of metal such asstainless steel or the like and is posi tioned in the bottom of the openended container-22 formed by the ends 37 (rear) and 44 (front) and thesides 26 and 36. This arrangement provides an inclined false bottombeneath which the compartment 50 is defined and space for the wheels33and 34. The chute baffle 80 is welded or otherwise fastened so thatthe valve closures 62 on the handle 17 close the openings 47. The rearend plate 37 has the gate openings 18 and 19 thereon and the wrap-aroundstrap 32 provides slider guides for the valve plates 27a and 27b aspreviously described and the strap 32 reinforces the structure atopenings 18 and 19 and on the rear wall 37 which received the principalthrust of the vibrations. Suitable journal openings as shown areprovided through the side walls 26 and 36 to receive the wheel axles andoperating handle 17. The spaced apart plates 53 and 54 reinforce thechute baffle 80 and form the compartments 50, 51 and 52. The closureplate 75 closes against the perimeter of compartment 50 isolating thevibrator-motor 71 from the work surfaces. The electrical cord is housedin compartments 50 and passes from the switch 63 and motor 71 throughthe front wall 44 below the handle 17. A suitable cord grommet (notshown) is proivded in the cord opening to avoid chafing of the chord 20by localized contact with the end plate 44. The sheet metal work ispreferably in stainless steel but where best initial economy is sought,heavy gauge zinc dipped or galvanized stock is acceptable.

The FIG. 9, while somewhat schematic, shows the manner of operation ofthe spreader 11 from the moment the operating handle opens the openings47 by dropping the valve closure elements 62 with rotation of theoperating handle 17. As shown, the closure plates 62 are biased closedover the openings 47 by the spring 66 acting on arm 65. Hence, the motor71 is off because the switch 63 is open and no circuit can be closed tothe motor 71. However, when the operating handle or lever 17 is rotatedcounterclockwise (as shown) this opens the openings 47 by dropping awaythe closures and the same motion closes the limit switch 63 starting thevibrator-motor 71. This imparts vibration oscillations through thestructure of the spreader 11 commencing at a point immediately below thechute baffle 80 and adjacent the points of emission of mortar throughthe gates 18 and 19. This imparts an even smooth flow and the selectedscreed opening at the gates 18 and 19 strikes the'fiow to a selectedheight. The container 22 is drawn along the blocks 15 with an easysmooth motion and gaged or guided by guide 35 along the block courseedge as desired. The wheels 33 and 34 provide good rolling support forspreader 11. The vibrator and its components are lubricated and sealedto be trouble free, but if replacement or service is required, access tothe motor and vibrator is easily achieved through removal of the coverplate 75. This also helps in cleaning where it may be desirable toimmerse the spreader 11 in a suitable solvent.

The device is fully adjustable and is operative in a wide range ofmortar consistencies and in spreading operation achieves a substantialincrease in block laying speed. Having thus described a specificoperative embodiment of my invention, modifications and improvementswill be appreciated by those who are skilled in the art. For example,other mastics may also be spread from this structure and those skilledin the art will perceive obvious changes and improvements in thephysical construction of the container and the option of using othervibrator devices. Such improvements and modifications are intended to beincluded herein limited only by the scope of my hereinafter appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. A wheeled container having a chute therein and openings therethroughinclined to deliver mortar to the rear;

valve means at said openings, at least one of said valve means operableto activate an electric circuit;

a vibrator in said container beneath said chute and secured to saidcontainer imparting vibrations when said valve means are selectivelyopened; and

an electric circuit actuated by opening said .valve means and energizingsaid vibrator.

2. A mortar spreader device comprising:

a substantially rectangular wheeled container;

a chute baffle forming an inclined bottom in said container anddirecting flow in said container toward one end thereof;

a flow divider in said baffle dividing fiow toward the corners of thelower ends of said chute;

a pair of openings through the bottom of said container at the ends ofsaid chute baffle and toward which said flow divider directs flow;

7 8 valve closures simultaneously and tiltably actuated form flowthrough said container and to and and in said container and movabletoward and through said openings by transmission of vibration away fromclosing said openings; to the contents of said container. back openingsat the lower corners of the rear of said 3. The structure in accord withclaim 1 wherein said container; 5 vibrator means is secured to said endwall of said convalve gates on the exterior of said container slidabletainer intermediate said openings. 7

on the end of said container to selectively cover 4. The structure inaccord with claim 2 wherein said said back openings; and vibrator meansis removably secured to said end wall of vibrator means secured to saidcontainer and actusaid container.

ated by opening said valved closures assuring uni- 10

1. A wheeled container having a chute therein and openings therethroughinclined to deliver mortar to the rear; valve means at said openings, atleast one of said valve means operable to activate an electric circuit;a vibrator in said container beneath said chute and secured to saidcontainer imparting vibrations when said valve means are selectivelyopened; and an electric circuit actuated by opening said valve means andenergizing said vibrator.
 2. A mortar spreader device comprising: asubstantially rectangular wheeled container; a chute baffle forming aninclined bottom in said container and directing flow in said containertoward one end thereof; a flow divider in said baffle dividing flowtoward the corners of the lower ends of said chute; a pair of openingsthrough the bottom of said container at the ends of said chute baffleand toward which said flow divider directs flow; valve closuressimultaneously and tiltably actuated and in said container and movabletoward and away from closing said openings; back openings at the lowercorners of the rear of said container; valve gates on the exterior ofsaid container slidable on the end of said container to selectivelycover said back openings; and vibrator means secured to said containerand actuated by opening said valved closures assuring uniform flowthrough said container and to and through said openings by transmissionof vibration to the contents of said container.
 3. The structure inaccord with claim 1 wherein said vibrator means is secured to said endwall of said container intermediate said openings.
 4. The structure inaccord with claim 2 wherein said vibrator means is removably secured tosaid end wall of said container.